How to write a bid proposal.

Bid proposals are an important part of growing your business. Learn how to write a bid proposal and what information to include to beat the competition.

We’ll explore how to create a bid proposal and provide an example for you to draw inspiration from.

What is a bid proposal?

When a potential client needs work, they want to find the best company for the job. A bid proposal outlines specific plans for a project, the amount of time it will take, and what it will cost — all written in a way that makes the bid stand out from the competition and hopefully, secures the client’s business. It’s essentially a formal way to throw your hat into the ring.

What to include in a bid proposal.

Bid proposals vary depending on the industry and the project, but the overall goal is to show the potential client how you’ll complete the project. Here are the key elements every bid proposal should include:

• Client’s name and contact information
• Your business name and contact information
• A detailed project description
• Services or products provided
• Pricing estimate
• Terms and conditions
• Estimated timeline

The best way to send bid proposals to potential clients is to save them as electronic documents. That way, you can forego the slow mail-in process and email your proposal directly to the potential client for even faster results.

Before pressing send, don’t forget to sign your bid proposal. Not only does it look official, but it also shows that you stand behind the bid and give the potential client more confidence. You can sign documents electronically to simplify the process and keep workflows moving.

How to write a bid for a job.

The process of writing a bid for a job involves a combination of research, strategic pricing, and clear communication. Here’s a short guide to help you do this:

• Research the project and client. You can start by understanding the project’s requirements as well as investigating the client’s industry, history, and reputation. You can also check older projects to get insights into the client’s budget and preferences.
• Analyze costs. Break down and analyze all the costs involved such as labor, materials, time, etc. You should also consider any potential risks or uncertainties that could affect the cost and include a margin for profit.
• Evaluate your competition. Find out who your competitors for the job are and analyze their strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies, and unique selling propositions.
• Set a pricing strategy. You will have to decide whether to go for a fixed price, hourly rate, or a combination.
• Highlight your unique selling proposition. One of the most important parts of writing a bid for a job is clearly specifying what sets you apart from the competition. You can do this by providing evidence of your past successes, such as testimonials or case studies.
• Present a professional bid. After you’re done writing, make sure your bid is clear, concise, easy to understand, and free of errors.
• Follow up. After you submit the bid, you should reach out to the client to address any questions or clarifications.

Now that you know how to write a bid for a job, let’s take a look at a bid proposal example.

Bid proposal example.

[Client’s full name]

[Client’s address]

[Phone number]

[Email address]

[Contractor’s full name]

[Contractor’s address]

[Phone number]

[Email address]

Job name:

Job summary: [Write a brief overview of the project and how your company plans to provide its services to complete it.]

[List of the tasks that your company would provide.]

Terms and conditions:

Project timeline:

Client signature:

Contractor signature:

What industries require bid proposals?

Some of the industries where a bid proposal is required include:

• Construction and engineering. Construction and engineering companies bid for construction projects detailing the cost, timeline, and scope.
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Hospitals and clinics often require bid proposals for medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and services.
• Education. Educational institutions, including schools and universities, often request bids for supplies, equipment, construction projects, and educational services.
• Transportation and logistics. Transportation companies often bid for contracts when they involve logistics, public transportation, and infrastructure development.
• Event planning and hospitality. Venues, catering, and event management services are secured through bidding, especially when it comes to large events and corporate functions.
• Marketing and advertising. Agencies often submit proposals detailing their creative strategies, campaign execution plans, and pricing structures to win marketing and advertising contracts from businesses.

When you create a bid proposal template PDF, you have an organized document that looks the same on any device you share it with, and you protect it from accidental edits.

Create a bid proposal template PDF.

The best way to send bid proposals to potential clients is to save them as electronic documents. That way, you can forego the slow mail-in process and email your proposal directly to the potential client for even faster results.

Before pressing send, don’t forget to sign your bid proposal. Not only does it look official, but it also shows that you stand behind the bid and give the potential client more confidence. You can sign e-docs with electronic signature software like Acrobat Sign to simplify the process.

Discover more about what you can do to simplify business processes and authorize electronic documents.